Secondary metabolites/toxins produced by Purpeocillium lilacinum (Hypocreales; Phiocordycipitaceae), a well-known insect pathogen, can be used for the management of different insect pests. We report the lethal and sublethal effects of cyclosporin C (a toxin produced by P. lilacinum) against a major vegetable pest, Plutella xylostella, at specific organismal (feeding rate, larval growth, adult emergence, fecundity, and adult longevity) and sub-organismal levels (changes in antioxidant and neurophysiological enzyme activities). The toxicity of cyclosporin C against different larval instars of P. xylostella increased with increasing concentrations of the toxin and the maximum percent mortality rates for different P. xylostella larval instars at different times were observed for the 300 µg/mL cyclosporin C treatment, with an average mortality rate of 100% for all larval instars. The median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of cyclosporin C against the first, second, third, and fourth larval instars of P. xylostella 72 h post-treatment were 78.05, 60.42, 50.83, and 83.05 μg/mL, respectively. Different concentrations of cyclosporin C caused a reduction in the average leaf consumption and average larval weight. Different life history parameters, such as the pupation rate (%), adult emergence (%), female fecundity, and female longevity were also inhibited when different concentrations of cyclosporin C were applied topically. The cyclosporin C concentrations inhibited the activities of different detoxifying (glutathione S-transferase, carboxylesterase, and acetylcholinesterase) and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase) activities of P. xylostella when compared to the control. These findings can serve as baseline information for the development of cyclosporin C as an insect control agent, although further work on mass production, formulation, and field application is still required.

Background: Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest of crops in different regions of the world. Our recent studies on the joint application of Akanthomyces attenuatus (a pathogenic insect fungus) and matrine (a botanical insecticide) against B. tabaci have shown promising results. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified differentially expressed genes involved in whitefly responses to single or mixed applications of A. attenuatus and matrine. Methods: In this study, we compared the transcriptome profiles of B. tabaci treated with individual and combined treatments of A. attenuatus and matrine to determine variations in gene expression among whiteflies in response to different treatments. Results: Transcriptomic data analysis showed differential expression of 71, 1194, and 51 genes in response to A. attenuatus (BtA), matrine (BtM), and A. attenuatus + matrine (BtAM) treatment, respectively. A total of 65 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between whiteflies treated with A. attenuatus (BtA) and matrine (BtM). A comparison of DEGs across the three treatments (BtA, BtM, and BtAM) revealed two common DEGs. The results also revealed that AMPK signaling, apoptosis, and drug metabolism pathways are likely involved in whitefly defense responses against A. attenuatus and matrine infection. Furthermore, a notable suppression of general metabolism and immune response genes was observed in whiteflies treated with A. attenuatus + matrine (BtAM) compared to whiteflies treated with individual A. attenuatus (BtA) or matrine (BtM) treatments. Conclusion: Dynamic changes in the number of differentially expressed genes were observed in B. tabaci subjected to different treatments (BtA, BtM, and BtAM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular interactions between whitefly and individual or combined treatments of A. attenuatus and matrine. These results will further improve our knowledge of the infection mechanism and complex biochemical processes involved in the synergistic action of A. attenuatus and matrine against B. tabaci.

Mesostigmata are known to be the most diverse group of predatory mites within soil ecosystems, involved in maintaining the soil health. Biodiversity of Mesostigmata can be used to access the soil health within a geographical region. Family richness, diversity, abundance and evenness of soil inhabiting Mesostigmata mites in cultivated and undisturbed soil were estimated from five different localities of Punjab, Pakistan in 2014. Family richness, abundance and Shannon diversity indexes were higher in undisturbed soil as compared to the cultivated soil in all the localities, while low variability in evenness had been found. The highest diversity of soil inhabiting Mesostigmata (H’=1.93) was recorded in undisturbed soil in April at Dera Ghazi Khan locality and lowest diversity (H’=0.50) in cultivated soils in August at Gujranwala. The highest family richness (S=10) was reported in undisturbed soil at D.G.Khan and the lowest (S=3) was found in cultivated soils in Gujranwala, Chakwal and Bhakkar.

The Coleoscirinae (Acari: Trombidiformes: Cunaxidae) from Pakistan are summarized in this paper. Two species of Scutascirus Den Heyer (S. pirgus Chaudhri and Akbar and S. tactus Chaudhri and Akbar), ten species of Coleoscirus Berlese (C. baptos (Chaudhri and Akbar), C. carex (Inayatullah and Shahid), C. carnus Muhammad and Chaudhri, C. comis Muhammad and Chaudhri, C. disparis Muhammad and Chaudhri, C. irroratus Muhammad and Chaudhri, C. mardi (Inatullah and Shahid), C. raviensis Afzal, Ashfaq and Khan, C. tobaensis Bashir, Afzal, Ashfaq, and Khan, and C. trudus Bashir, Afzal and Akbar), and three species of Pseudobonzia Smiley (P. ashfaqi Bashir, Afzal and Akbar, P. numida Chaudhri and Akbar, and P. parilus Chaudhri) have been previously reported. One new species of Pseudobonzia, Pseudobonzia bakerisp. n., is herein described and illustrated. A key to the genera of the subfamily and keys to the species in each genus are given to incorporate the new species from Pakistan. Distribution records of all known species in Pakistan are also given.

Amblyseiulella paraheveae (Wu & Ou 2002) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is reported for the first time from Pakistan. The specimens were collected in Punjab province, on Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. (Rosaceae). Morphological information of the Pakistani specimens is presented in this manuscript. This is also the first record of the genus Amblyseiulella Muma for the Pakistani fauna. A key to the 15 species in this genus is provided here.